Have an account?
Skip to Content
Build your own quiz
16 questions
Show Answers
See Preview
- 1. Multiple Choice
In Greek mythology, King Midas is granted his wish that everything he touches turn to gold.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
When it comes to starting new businesses, Elon Musk seems to have a Midas touch.
fortunate
unusual
unfortunate
usual
- 2. Multiple Choice
In the story A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, a penny-pinching and bitter Ebenezer Scrooge values money more than people.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Our neighbor has a reputation for being a Scrooge, so we don't even stop at his door any more when we're fundraising.
generous
kind
stingy
jealous
- 3. Multiple Choice
In one of Aesop's fables, four animals go hunting under the assumption that they will split their prize equally, but the lion, the most powerful animal, takes more than the other members of the group.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
My older brother takes the lion's share of the space in our bedroom.
an equal amount
a tiny bit
an even split
the largest portion
- 4. Multiple Choice
George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984 focuses on a totalitarian society in which the citizens are frequently reminded that their leader, Big Brother, is always watching.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
The headline read: "Smart Phones Becoming Big Brother."
a benevolent government that takes care of its people
a democratic society with laws protecting privacy
a ruler that allows freedom of speech
a threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives
- 5. Multiple Choice
In 1815, French emperor Napoleon suffered a devastating defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, which would prove to be his final battle before he abdicated the throne.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Last night's play-off in the semifinals proved to be the team's Waterloo.
final defeat
hard-played win
tie
no score
- 6. Multiple Choice
The comic book superhero Spider-Man possesses a spidey sense that warns him of impending trouble.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Luther picked up his pace on the trail as his spidey sense began to tingle.
sense of smell
sense of danger
sense of wonder
sense of pride
- 7. Multiple Choice
In a catalog that accompanied an exhibit of his work, pop artist Andy Warhol said, "In the future, everybody will be world-famous for fifteen minutes," meaning that fame would be briefly available even to those who did nothing spectacular.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Jennifer had her fifteen minutes of fame when her video of kayaking with dolphins went viral.
lengthy experience being famous
extraordinary effort
temporary moment of celebrity status
known by all forever
- 8. Multiple Choice
Draco, a government official in seventh-century Athens, Greece, wrote a code of laws that called for severe punishments for even minor offenses.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Ben spoke at the city council meeting, claiming the new recycling regulations were draconian.
envious
interesting
clever
harsh
- 9. Multiple Choice
Joseph Heller coined the term "catch-22" in his 1961 novel of the same name. In the novel, if an army pilot wants to avoid dangerous missions, he must be deemed mentally unfit; however, his desire to stay safe proves his sanity, so he can never be excused from a mission. Heller called this sort of predicament or dilemma a catch-22.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Anthony described the situation he was facing with his boss as a catch-22.
win-win
victory
no-win
defeat
- 10. Multiple Choice
In a well-known folktale, Chicken Little is accidentally hit by something and jumps to the conclusion that the sky is falling and that she must spread the news of imminent disaster.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
The weather forecast called for clear skies, making my grandfather look like Chicken Little.
a person who spreads alarming news of imminent danger
a person who greets trouble with optimism
a person who is slow to adapt
a person who spreads rumors about others
- 11. Multiple Choice
Don Quixote is the main character in Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's novel of the same name. Quixote cannot see the world as it truly is; in his overly romanticized view, inns are castles and windmills are giants.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
The mayoral candidate was widely viewed as quixotic, so it was no surprise that he lost by a substantial margin.
intentionally misleading
practical and realistic
naively idealistic
cruel and judgmental
- 12. Multiple Choice
In a biblical parable, a Samaritan selflessly stops to help an enemy who has been beaten and stranded on the side of a road.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
A Good Samaritan jumped in when my grocery bag broke and the contents spilled all over the sidewalk.
a person who enjoys interacting with others
a person who plays tricks on others
a person who takes advantage of others
a person who goes out of the way to help another
- 13. Multiple Choice
In his novel Lost Horizon, James Hilton describes the fictional paradise of Shangri-La, which is located in the mountains of Tibet.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
For me, Yosemite in the summer is Shangri-La.
a place full of memories
a dystopian setting
an ideal place
a challenging setting
- 14. Multiple Choice
In Greek mythology, a mythical bird called the phoenix lives for hundreds of years before bursting into flames at its death. However, it soon rises from its own ashes and is reborn.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Fans debated whether their team would rise from the ashes.
surprise an opponent
be consistently successful
never win
come back from defeat
- 15. Multiple Choice
In the fable "The Fox and the Grapes," a fox tries unsuccessfully to reach a bunch of grapes. Because he cannot reach them and therefore cannot eat them, he tells himself that they must be sour.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Bryce's remark about your new car is clearly a case of sour grapes.
eating something even if you don't like it
criticizing something because you can't have it
disliking something that you find unpleasant
praising something that you admire
- 16. Multiple Choice
Soldiers from the city of Sparta in ancient Greece were known for their self-restraint, self-discipline, and indifference to luxury.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Maria was known among her coworkers for her spartan ways.
quirky or unusual
simple and austere
aggressive and belligerent
fancy and luxurious
- Answer choicesTagsAnswer choicesTags